Pakse and Bolaven Plateau

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Because of a scheduling glitch regarding the Vat Phou Cruise we ended up with an extra day between it and our flight to Siem Reap, so we took advantage of the time to check out the Bolaven Plateau just east of Pakse, Laos. Pakse is the third largest municipality in Laos after Vientiane and Savannakhet, although I don't think any of them has as many as 100,000 inhabitants; the entire country has only about half as many as New York City.

At the bottom I have added the photos from our stop at Wat Phou while on the Mekong Cruise.

Bolaven Plateau

In the early part of the 20th century while France was trying to build up the economy of French Indo-China it recognized that the cool climate of the Bolaven Plateau at 4000 feet average elevation would be an ideal place to raise tea and coffee and proceeded to set up cultivation there which continues to thrive today. It is, like most of the other mountainous areas of Laos, also home to many ethnic minorities who raise the crops that grow at a particular elevation. These include the Laven (Bolaven means “home of the Laven”), Katu, Alak, and others.

We arranged to have a car and guide to take us to the Bolaven for the day, although it would be a nice place to spend several and get off the beaten track., We visited a tea plantation and also saw the coffee growing along the way, but we were most interested in seeing the beautiful waterfalls that are found throughout the area. The temperature there was wonderful, as it was about 15º cooler than it had been at Mekong-level the day before. I took my bathing suit along because I thought there would be places to swim (and there were), but it was so cool that I wasn't tempted to get into the water. The falls were very lovely - each in its own way. At one they had a minorities village set up so people could see the type of houses they have and the fabrics that they weave and sell. It is interesting that each group has its own way of constructing its houses just as each specializes in a different group of crops and makes different handicrafts.

This was our last day in Laos. It cooled way down for our final evening with a stiff breeze blowing - enough to put the locals in winter jackets - that means that it was probably 65F; I'm hoping this will bode well for moving further south. Laos has been a great experience and we have seen a lot of the country, but I am really excited to be leaving on our final leg tomorrow to Siem Reap, home of the great temples of Angkor. It has been for many years my Holy Grail; I hope that you'll enjoy it through our eyes.

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Photos

Tad Fane Waterfall
In the Bolaven Plateau of southern Laos.

Tad Yuang Falls
On the Bolaven Plateau

Cattle Crossing at Waterfall
Cows and babies blithely walked across the stream only a few feet from the precipice of a 200 ft. drop.

Tad Pasuam Falls
On the Bolaven

Us at the Falls
So Loren can have proof that we were there.

Bamboo Bridge
Yes, we crossed on it!

Minority House
With unusual carved cross-piece and bamboo roof.

Another Lao Minority House
The family builds the little room with one small window so their daughter can converse with her intended, who stands outside. If she likes him, the father will marry her to him; if not, they send him packing.

On the Way to Wat Phou
Built in 9th or 10th century. This building is at the bottom of a large hill.

Stairway to Wat Phou
Steps are only a few inches deep and very steep.

Wat Phou
Looking toward Buddhist altar. Wat was built to Vishnu, but was later converted to Buddhist.

Comments

[Loren]

"Us" at the "Falls"
Nice photoshop. I can tell by the pixels, and having seen many 'shops in my day.

[Dorothy Boddeker]

We're loving your blog!
Hi, Sandy, Cary and I have been reading all your blogs and thoroughly enjoying them. Your photography is outstanding! I feel like I am learning a little bit about that part of the world through your eyes. Thanks for sharing. Dorothy

[OldLadyVagabond]

Thanks!
'Glad you're enjoying it.